Letter to the Editor -

This week's Machias Valley News Observer - one of the four local weekly papers in Washington County - carries a letter to the editor supporting me, from Carmen Flowers of Lubec. This is how it reads:

Katherine Cassidy, running for state legislator in District 32, has my
vote, and here's why.

She knows the value of the Washington County Adult Drug Treatment
Court, known locally as "Drug Court." She knows how its demanding,
year-plus program helps Washington County's young people get their
lives back on track again. Best of all, those who succeed in Drug
Court save us money because they avoid being sent to jail and prison.

One of our area's unfortunate truths is that many families are
affected by sustance abuse. Drug Court is a way to help counter the
addiction problem. Katherine regularly wrote about Judge Romei's
program when she was a Bangor Daily News reporter. Her husband Frank,
a lawyer, has volunteered his expertise in Drug Court for more than
four years.

At this time of the state's call for budget cuts, I know that
Katherine Cassidy will work to protect and maintain Drug Court for the
families and the future of Washington County.

Carmen Flowers
Lubec